2.

Table Compiling the Information

Lengt Major
States Major Major Major
River h Origin Distributari
Covered Tributaries Dams Gorges
(km) es

Ganga 2,525 Gangotri Uttarakhan Yamuna Hooghly Tehri No major

Glacier, d, UP, (Right), (WB), Dam, gorge
Uttarakhand Bihar, Ghaghara, Padma Farakka
Jharkhand, Gandak, (Banglades Barrage
 Lengt Major
States Major Major Major
River h Origin Distributari
Covered Tributaries Dams Gorges
(km) es

Kosi, Son
WB h)
(Left)

None
Uttarakhan
Yamunotri (Merges Hathniku
d, HP, Chambal,
Yamuna 1,376 Glacier, with Ganga nd None
Haryana, Betwa, Ken
Uttarakhand at Barrage
Delhi, UP
Prayagraj)

Subansiri,
Arunachal Jamuna Subansiri Tsangpo
Brahmaput Angsi Glacier, Manas,
2,900 Pradesh, (Banglades Lower Gorge
ra Tibet Dibang,
Assam h) Dam (Tibet)
Lohit

Jhelum, Baglihar,
Indus
Tibet (Lake Ladakh, Chenab, None in Bhakra
Indus 3,180 Gorge
Mansarovar) Punjab, HP Ravi, Beas, India Nangal
(Ladakh)
Sutlej Dam

Maharashtr
a,
Gautami,
Trimbakeshwa Telangana, Purna,
Vasishta, Polavara
Godavari 1,465 r, Andhra Pranhita, None
Vainateya m Dam
Maharashtra Pradesh, Indravati
(AP)
Chhattisgar
h, Odisha

Maharashtr
Mahabaleshw a, Bhima, Nagarjuna
Bhimgarh
Krishna 1,400 ar, Karnataka, Tungabhadr None Sagar
Gorge
Maharashtra Telangana, a, Koyna Dam
AP

Marble
MP, Tawa, Sardar
Amarkantak, Rocks
Narmada 1,312 Maharashtr Hiran, None Sarovar
MP (Bhedagha
a, Gujarat Orsang Dam
t)

Kaveri 805 Talakaveri, Karnataka, Hemavati, None Krishna Hogenakk

Karnataka Tamil Nadu Kabini, Raja Sagar al Falls
 Lengt Major
States Major Major Major
River h Origin Distributari
Covered Tributaries Dams Gorges
(km) es

Bhavani Dam

Seonath,
Chhattisgar Hirakud
Mahanadi 858 Chhattisgarh Jonk, None None
h, Odisha Dam
Hasdeo

MP, Purna,
Tapi 724 Satpura, MP Maharashtr Girna, None Ukai Dam None
a, Gujarat Panjhra
1. Imagining the Flow of India's Major Rivers

🌊 Ganga River – The Lifeline of India

High in the Himalayan ranges, the Ganga begins its journey as the Bhagirathi, tumbling
down from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. At Devprayag, it meets the Alaknanda,
officially becoming the Ganga. Flowing past Rishikesh and Haridwar, where thousands take
a sacred dip, it descends into the vast Indo-Gangetic plains. As it snakes through Uttar
Pradesh, it welcomes the Yamuna at Prayagraj, forming the Triveni Sangam, a confluence
revered by millions. The river expands, collecting waters from the Ghaghara and Gandak,
enriching Bihar’s fertile lands. The Kosi, notorious for its shifting course, merges into the
Ganga, often flooding parts of Bihar. Flowing further east, it enters West Bengal, where it
splits—one branch becoming the Hooghly, nourishing Kolkata, while the other turns into the
Padma, flowing into Bangladesh. The Ganga finally meets the Bay of Bengal, forming the
sprawling Sundarbans Delta, home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger.

Yamuna River – The Shadow of the Ganga

From the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand, the Yamuna rushes through deep gorges before
reaching the plains near Dehradun. It meanders through Delhi, its waters once pristine but
now battling pollution. The Chambal, joining from Rajasthan, brings clear waters, while the
Betwa and Ken, flowing from the Vindhyas, add to its might. The Yamuna touches Agra,
reflecting the Taj Mahal in its waters before finally merging with the Ganga at Prayagraj,
completing its sacred journey.

🐉 Brahmaputra River – The Roaring Giant

Born in Tibet, the Brahmaputra begins as the Yarlung Tsangpo, carving through the Tsangpo
Gorge, the world’s deepest. Entering India through Arunachal Pradesh, it transforms into
the fierce Siang, tumbling through forested valleys. As it reaches Assam, it spreads wide,
absorbing the Subansiri, Manas, and Dibang. Here, it becomes a lifeline, supporting tea
plantations and the wildlife-rich Kaziranga National Park. In monsoons, the river swells,
often submerging vast areas. At last, it flows into Bangladesh as the Jamuna, merging with
the Padma before reaching the sea.
Indus River – The Ancient Civilization’s Cradle

The Indus emerges from the Mansarovar region in Tibet, slicing through the cold deserts of
Ladakh. Its turquoise waters race through gorges and deep valleys, passing Leh and Kargil
before entering Pakistan. Fed by the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, it was once
home to the Indus Valley Civilization. While it plays a smaller role in modern India, its
tributaries sustain the fertile Punjab plains, making them India’s agricultural backbone.
🌾 Godavari River – The Dakshin Ganga

From the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, the Godavari flows eastward, cutting through
Nasik and Nanded. It swells with the Indravati and Pranhita, forming a vast waterway across
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. As it nears the coast, it divides into several channels—the
Gautami and Vasishta, nourishing the fertile Konaseema region before emptying into the
Bay of Bengal.
🌊 Krishna River – The Deccan’s Lifeblood

From Mahabaleshwar, the Krishna races through Maharashtra, gathering the Bhima and
Tungabhadra as it cuts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Flowing through rocky
landscapes, it carves gorges before entering the deltaic plains. At Vijayawada, it widens,
finally reaching the Bay of Bengal, sustaining rich farmlands along the way.

Narmada River – The Jewel of Central India

Born in the Amarkantak Plateau, the Narmada moves westward, unlike most Indian rivers. It
carves the stunning Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat, where the river sparkles under moonlight.
It passes through Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, forming deep gorges and filling reservoirs
like Sardar Sarovar before merging into the Arabian Sea.

💦 Kaveri River – The Southern Blessing

The Kaveri begins in Karnataka’s Coorg hills, cascading down as waterfalls at
Shivanasamudra and Hogenakkal. It feeds the fertile Cauvery delta, supporting lush paddy
fields in Tamil Nadu before entering the sea near Poompuhar.

⛵ Mahanadi River – The Serpent of Odisha

Starting in Chhattisgarh, the Mahanadi twists and turns, earning its name as "The Great
Serpent." It slows at Hirakud Dam, forming Asia’s longest artificial lake. As it reaches Odisha,
it branches into numerous channels, spreading across the delta before merging with the Bay
of Bengal.

🌊 Tapi River – The Lesser-Known West-Flowing River

Rising in the Satpura Hills, the Tapi cuts across Maharashtra and Gujarat, flowing parallel to
the Narmada. It carves deep valleys before reaching the Arabian Sea, providing water to the
industrial hubs of Surat and Bharuch.
Table: Major Lakes of India – Formation & Significance

Lake Name Location Formation Importance & Significance

Post-glacial lake – Major tourist attraction, supports

Jammu & Remnant of an ancient Shikara rides, floating markets,
Dal Lake
Kashmir lake in the Kashmir and houseboats. Important for
Valley. local fisheries.

India’s largest freshwater lake,

Tectonic lake – Formed
Jammu & crucial for flood control, supports
Wular Lake due to fault line
Kashmir migratory birds and fishing
movements.
communities.

Asia’s largest brackish water

Tectonic depression & lagoon, home to Irrawaddy
Chilika Lake Odisha sea intrusion created a dolphins and Nalabana Bird
brackish lagoon. Sanctuary, supports fishing and
tourism.

Tectonic lake – Formed World’s only floating national park

due to seismic activity, (Keibul Lamjao), home to Sangai
Loktak Lake Manipur
creating floating deer, supports fishing, irrigation,
Phumdis (islands). and hydroelectric power.

Tectonic depression – India’s largest saltwater lake, key

Sambhar Lake Rajasthan Formed in an enclosed for salt production, habitat for
basin with no outlet. flamingos.

Backwater lake – Supports Kerala’s backwater

Vembanad Formed by seawater tourism, houseboats, hosts the
Kerala
Lake intrusion, creating an Nehru Trophy Boat Race, vital for
inland lagoon. farming in Kuttanad.

Coastal lagoon –
Important brackish water lake,
Andhra Pradesh Formed by the gradual
Pulicat Lake home to Pulicat Bird Sanctuary,
& Tamil Nadu silting of the Bay of
supports fishing communities.
Bengal’s shoreline.

Floodplain lake –
Supports migratory birds, flood
Kolleru Lake Andhra Pradesh Created by monsoon-fed
control, and local agriculture.
river overflow.

Pangong Tso Ladakh Glacial lake – Formed by Famous for its color-changing
Lake Name Location Formation Importance & Significance

waters, important for tourism,

retreating glaciers in the
geopolitically significant (partly in
Himalayas.
China).

Meteorite impact crater

Rare alkaline-saline lake, studied
– Formed ~50,000 years
Lonar Lake Maharashtra by NASA for extraterrestrial life,
ago by an asteroid
surrounded by ancient temples.
impact.

Glacial moraine lake –

High-altitude wetland reserve,
Formed by melting
Tsomoriri Lake Ladakh home to rare migratory birds,
glaciers damming a
untouched natural beauty.
valley.

Saltwater lake – Formed Supports migratory birds,

by glacial activity and particularly black-necked cranes,
Tso Kar Lake Ladakh
evaporation of a larger known as "White Lake" due to its
ancient lake. saline deposits.

Tectonic lake – Formed

Largest lake in Kumaon, vital for
Bhimtal Lake Uttarakhand due to Himalayan earth
tourism and aquaculture.
movements.

Tectonic lake – Created Heart of Nainital, a major tourist

Naini Lake Uttarakhand by landslides forming a attraction, associated with Hindu
natural depression. mythology (Goddess Naina Devi).

Artificial lake – Built Famous for Buddha statue in the

Telangana
Hussain Sagar during the 16th century center, supports boating, tourism,
(Hyderabad)
by Ibrahim Qutb Shah. and drinking water supply.

Upper & Artificial lake – Built by Bhopal’s lifeline, crucial for

Madhya
Lower Lake Raja Bhoj in the 11th drinking water and biodiversity
Pradesh
(Bhojtal) century. conservation.